Bluefield, West Virginia Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bluefield, West Virginia had a total population of 9,387, the 17th largest city in West Virginia, with a median household income of $49,375, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Bluefield Quick Facts
How Bluefield Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,511 | 9,387 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $43,826 | $49,375 | +12.7% |
| Median home value | $101,000 | $105,400 | +4.4% |
How Bluefield Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bluefield Rankings in West Virginia
Explore West Virginia Rankings
Other Cities in Mercer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Princeton | 5,736 | $43,900 | 16.9% | $120,300 |
| Bluewell | 1,992 | $35,168 | 18.3% | $125,500 |
| Athens | 1,494 | $56,667 | 19.4% | $168,100 |
| Brush Fork | 1,096 | $70,098 | 9.2% | $90,000 |
| Lashmeet | 655 | N/A | 13.0% | $187,500 |
| Montcalm | 484 | $63,024 | 16.5% | N/A |
| Oakvale | 254 | N/A | 10.3% | N/A |
| Bramwell | 135 | $53,929 | 23.7% | $93,000 |
| Matoaka | 30 | $16,786 | 93.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Bluefield
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross Lanes | 9,671 | $63,537 | $153,800 | 32.4% | 5.1% |
| St. Albans | 10,522 | $53,972 | $140,800 | 24.3% | 14.1% |
| Moundsville | 7,869 | $49,048 | $118,600 | 17.3% | 22.5% |
| Oak Hill | 7,937 | $52,466 | $118,700 | 15.6% | 21.7% |
| Vienna | 10,518 | $60,388 | $154,300 | 31.4% | 10.2% |
Population Overview
Bluefield is a small city located in West Virginia, within Mercer County. The total population is 9,387. It ranks as the 17th most populous out of 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bluefield is 45.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 42.7 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bluefield is $49,375. This is 17% lower than the state median of $59,608. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.5%. This is 11% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.7%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 18% lower than the state rate of 5.4%. The median home value is $105,400. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $162,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Bluefield is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 74.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bluefield is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 13.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (13.4% vs 3.1%).
Education
30.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% higher than the state rate of 24.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bluefield, West Virginia is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against West Virginia state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 429 Census-designated places in West Virginia. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bluefield, West Virginia?
Bluefield, West Virginia has a population of 9,387 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bluefield, WV?
The median household income in Bluefield is $49,375, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bluefield, WV?
The poverty rate in Bluefield is 18.5%. This means approximately 1,706 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bluefield, West Virginia?
Bluefield's population is 75.8% White, 13.4% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bluefield, WV?
The median home value in Bluefield is $105,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Bluefield, West Virginia?
30.8% of adults (25+) in Bluefield hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.